Republican Rep. Mike Castle, a nine-term congressman, announced Tuesday, Oct. 6, his intention to run for the Senate. “These are challenging times and we need common sense governing. On the economy, healthcare, national defense or any critical issue that we face today, now is for independent voices and workable solutions that put people first, not politics,” said Castle, in a release.

On the heels of his decision, Republicans and Democrats quickly emerged with their own statements – both sides speculating that Democratic Attorney General Beau Biden would also seek the seat.

So far, Biden has been evasive. “I just got back from a year in Iraq. I’m spending time with my family, and I’m getting back to work. There will be time to make a decision,” said Biden, also in a statement.

Biden, 40, was deployed with the National Guard in 2008 to the Middle East, where he served for a year, returning in October to the Delaware Department of Justice.

After Biden’s father, former Sen. Joe Biden, was elected vice president, Joe’s long-standing aide, Sen. Ted Kaufman, was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. Kaufman, however, has said he would not seek re-election, causing many to say backroom political deals prompted Kaufman to become a placeholder until 2010 when Beau would run. “Why would the governor jump over the person she endorsed for governor, John Carney, who then lost the Senate appointment to someone who was obviously a longtime Biden supporter and senior assistant?” said Sam Hoff, Delaware State University politics and law professor.

If Beau decides not to run for the Senate, and Kaufman gives up the seat, then Democrats would be without a candidate, said Hoff.

Delaware Republican State Chairman Tom Rosssaid, “Throughout his time in public service, Mike Castle has consistently put the interests of Delawareans first. He has a track record of balancing budgets, creating jobs and bringing people together for the common good. He will be a tremendous asset to the state of Delaware in the United States Senate.”

Castle, 70, well respected by both Democrats and Republicans, has recently come under fire by Democrats who have said he has not done enough in office for residents.

Delaware Democratic Party Chairman John Daniello issued a statement saying Castle has become increasingly out of touch with Delaware voters. “He tried, but was relatively unsuccessful, at furthering his agenda under a Republican administration, so I question how much more effective he will be under a Democratic administration. I regret that Mr. Castle has given in to pressure from the RNC [Republican National Committee] to run, when I believe he preferred to retire…” said Daniello.

Still, as representative, Castle has won by large margins. In 2002, he garnered 72 percent of the vote. In 2006, Castle suffered a minor stroke and was off the campaign trail for a month. His popularity dipped, but he was reelected, winning over Mike Berg with 57 percent of the vote.

“The congressman’s health with the stroke scare in 2006 did raise a few eyebrows,” said Hoff, who also said Democratic popularity also reached a high point in 2006 when Democrats took over both the Senate and the House.

Some have criticized Beau as well for not having enough experience. In 2007, the Office of the Attorney General came under fire for patient abuses at Delaware Psychiatric Center. Beau called for an investigation, which resulted in a legally binding agreement between the Attorney General’s Office and the state’s Department of Health and Social Services.

“Another area of controversy deals with sports betting. Particularly the fact that the AG’s office claimed it didn’t have the expertise to go forward on the sports betting case – that’s what led to the state’s approaching outside legal counsel. Now we’re paying upwards of $1 million,” said Hoff. Hoff said since Castle, a former governor, has served in Congress since 1992, he, too, would be open to scrutiny and criticism. If Beau does decide to run, Hoff says he thinks it would be a close, heated race.

“I think we’re going to get a real donnybrook here. In the legacy department, this one would be more on par, if not more exciting, than the Carper-Roth race,” said Hoff. In 2000, Democratic Gov. Tom Carper ran against Sen. William Roth for the Senate seat. In September, polls showed a neck-and-neck battle; however, Carper ended up sweeping the seat with 56 percent of the vote.